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1 Research Paper 2 Ethnomedicinal exploration of plants utilized by the 3 people of Suryabinayak Municipality in Bhaktapur 4 district, 5

6 Alisha Bhaila1, Sudarshana Shakya1, Bikram Kunwar3, Bikash Baral3, *, Sujan Chaudhary2, and 7 Nabin Narayan Munankarmi1,3, * 8 1 Department of Botany, Bhaktapur Multiple Campus, , Bhaktapur, Nepal

9 2 Department of Botany, Amrit Science Campus, Kathmandu, Tribhuvan University, Nepal

10 3 Department of Botanical Sciences, Biotechnology Society of Nepal (BSN), Kausaltar, Nepal 11 *Corresponding author: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected] 12 13 Abstract: Ethnomedicine refers to the use of medicinal plants by a society, ethnic group or tribe for 14 health benefits and for the prevention, treatment, and cure of different ailments. The healthy 15 relationship between plants and humans has been continuing since the start of human civilization. 16 The present study aims to document the medicinal information about plants used by ethnic people 17 in different wards of Suryabinyak Municipality, , to conserve and utilize the 18 traditional knowledge. Ethnomedicinal data were collected by a Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA) 19 method such as door to door surveys, direct observation. Individual interviews, field visits, and a 20 questionnaire survey with the guidance of key informants. The present study has documented 107 21 medicinal plant species under 60 families which are used for prevention and treatment of 39 different 22 diseases like Jaundice, diarrhea, dysentery, and cancer and 46 distinct health benefits like cough, cold, 23 anti-bleeding, stomachache, diarrhea, fever, blood pressure, fracture, toothache, etc. Suryabinayak 24 Municipality has a rich diversity in culture, ethnic groups, and medicinal plants, along with a wide 25 geographic and climatic condition. However, with modernization, urbanization, deforestation, and 26 increasing residential areas, the occurrence and use of medicinal plants have been diminished. Thus, 27 documentation of this research is vital for further pharmaceutical research and enhancement and 28 preservation of traditional knowledge of local people living in Suryabinayak Municipality and Nepal.

29 30 Keywords: diseases, ethnomedicine, Suryabinayak Municipality, traditional knowledge 31 32 1. Introduction 33 Nepal embraces huge plant biodiversity, totaling about 10,167 plant species, of which over 7,000 are 34 flowering plants, and over 1,600 species are medicinal and aromatic herbs [1,2]. Altogether 126 castes 35 / ethnic groups reported in Nepal speaking 123 languages as mother tongue [3]. Nepal is a 36 multilingual, multireligious, and multicultural country, where each ethnic group has its own culture, 37 tradition, and folk practices for the utilization of wild plants [4,5]. Different groups of people in Nepal 38 utilizes different plant resources as a source for food, fodder, timber, fiber, dye, housing material, 39 ornament, religious activities, etc. According to Chaudhary et al. [5], Tharu people of eastern Nepal 40 has been using several plant species for food, fodder, medicine, ornament, religious, and other 41 household purposes. Many other researchers have reported the use of plants by several ethnic groups 42 of Nepal as a source of their daily needs. Besides, the traditional way of utilizing the plants for 43 treatment and prevention of disease by Nepalese and South Asian people dates back to prehistoric 44 times [6,7]. General estimation of about 80-90% of people living in the rural area of Nepal relies on 45 traditional medicinal practices directly or indirectly, where 85% involves the use of plant extracts has

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46 been made [8]. Therefore, Nepal has been pointed out as a hotspot for the research of medicinal plants 47 [9,10]. 48 The use of plants as a source of medicine is very crucial for all living organisms known. All ethnic 49 groups of Nepal have been giving continuation to the tradition of using plants for medicinal uses. 50 Many researchers have contributed to the field of ethnobotany and ethnomedicine in Nepal. 51 [11] has documented the ethnomedicinal use of 75 different plant species among the Magar community 52 of Salija Village Development, Central Nepal. Kunwar and Adhikari [12] have documented 58 53 medicinal plant species used by the local people of Dunai, Juphal, Suu, Sahartara, and Majphal villages 54 of . Singh et al [13] have identified 70 medicinal plant species used for the management 55 of healthcare problems among the Magar tribal community of , Nepal. Chaudhary et al 56 [5] have documented the use of 37 plant species by Tharu community of eastern Nepal for various 57 purposes like medicine, food, fodder, ornament, etc. The ethnomedicinal and ethnobotanical studies 58 of plants have been performed in many parts of Nepal. Some study of medicinal plants has been 59 conducted in the neighboring district to Bhaktapur. Balami [14] has reported 119 medicinal plant 60 species used by the Newar community of Pharping village of , Nepal. The plants 61 and animals used for the medicinal purpose by ‘Balami’ community origin Okharpauwa VDC, 62 Sindhupalchok has been documented and found altogether 185 plant species are in use brought from 63 forest, cultivation, and purchase of 65 families and 151 genera [15]. However, in Bhaktapur district, 64 Central Nepal, very scarce scientific studies conducted in Ethnomedicine. The present study aims to 65 explore, identify, and document ethnomedicinal information about plants among the people of the 66 Suryabinayak Municipality of Bhaktapur District, Nepal. 67 68 2. Results 69 Ethnomedicinal data of 107 plant species belonging to 98 genera within 60 families were recorded in 70 the present study. Appraisal methods like the door to door survey, individual interview, field visit 71 and group discussion were held with differebt group of people (Fig. 1A). Among 107 plant species, 72 the highest number of plants was collected from Katunje followed by Gundu and lowest collected from 73 Nangkhelward (Fig. 1B).

74 75 Figure 1. A) Details of respondents. B) Number of plants collected in different wards 76 77 In total 107 plant species, 69.15% (n=74) species were wild and 30.84 % (n=33) species were cultivated 78 (Fig. 2A). Similarly, 57% (n=61) herbs, 26% (n=28) tree, 14% (n=15) shrub, 2% (n=2) fern and 1% (n=1) 79 grass were recorded as the life form of present study (Fig. 2B). In the present study, 9.32 % (n=11) bark, 80 0.85 % (n=1) bulb, 5.95% (n=7) flower, 1.70% (n=2) fruit covering, 11.05% (n=13) fruit, 24.65% (n=29) 81 leaf, 16.15% (n=19) seed, 2.55% (n=3) rhizome, 4.25% (n=5) root, 0.85% (n=1) node, 0.85% (n=1) stem, 82 2.55% (n=3) whole plant were used as plant parts for herbal preparation of drugs (Fig. 3). The present

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83 study has recorded 107 plant species with their scientific names, local names, plant parts used, plant 84 source, life forms and their medicinal uses (Table 1).

85 86 Figure 2. A) Nature of plant species. B) Life forms of medicinal plants 87

88 89 Figure 3. The proportion of different plant parts used for the ethnomedicinal purpose in 90 Suryabinayak Municipality

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91 92 93 94 95 Table 1: List of collected voucher plants, their scientific name, local name, family, life form, parts used, plant source and their application

Voucher Life Plant

Scientific Name No . Family Local Name Form Parts Used Source Use / Application

Abrus precatorius L. SBP1 Leguminasae Ratigedi H Seed Wild Clean dust and foreign particles on eyes

Acacia catechu (L.f.) Willd. SBP2 Fabaceae Khayar T Bark Wild Fracture

Achyranthes aspera L. SBP3 Amaranthaceae Bhende Kuro H Seed Wild Toothache

Acorus calamus L. SBP4 Araceae Bojho H Root Wild Neck Problem, Cough, Cold, body pain, Gastritis

Ageratina adenophora (Spreng.) R.M.

King & H. Rob. SBP42 Asteraceae Banmara H leaf Wild Stop bleeding, Fever

Ageratum conyzoides L. SBP5 Asteraceae GandheJhar H leaf Wild Blood clotting

Allium sativum L. SBP6 Amaryllidaceae Lasun H Bulb Cultivated Gastritis, Herpes Zoster

Latex is used to make silky hair, heal fire burn and juice is

Aloe vera L. SBP7 Liliaceae Ghiukumari H Leaf Cultivated taken to treat hypertension, diabetes, Dandruff, Headache

Paste to stop bleeding, juice is used to clear alimentary canal,

Typhoid, Antidandruff, Asthma, avoiding crying habit of

Artemisia vulgaris L. SBP8 Asteraceae Titepati H Leaf Wild baby, bone swelling, bad smell from armpit

Astilberi vularis Buch. -Ham, exD.

Don SBP9 Saxifragaceae Thulo Okhati H Flower Wild Pregnancy, vitamins, Diarrhea

Bark or leaf crush into powder and take juice for Fever,

Headache, Body Pain; Leaf to clean face; Insomnia; Asthma;

Azadirachta indica A. Juss. SBP10 Meliaceae Neem T Bark, leaf Wild Herpes Zoster

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Tonic, Blood purifier, Dysentery, Blood in Stool, Stomach-

Bauhinia variegata L. SBP11 Fabaceae Koiralo T Bark Wild ache

Bergenia ciliata (Haw.) Sternb. SBP12 Saxifragaceae Pakhanbed H Rhizome Wild Diarrhea, Fever, Vomiting

Bignonia ignea Vell. SBP13 Bignoniaceae Khorsani Phool S Flower Wild Diarrhea, dysentery

Brassica sinapis Noulet SBP14 Brassicaceae Tori H Seed Cultivated Seed Pina is used to removing dandruff

Butea frondosa Willd. SBP15 Leguminasae Buletro T Seed Wild Anthelminthic

Calotropis gigantea (L.) W.T. Aiton SBP16 Asclepiadaceae Ank T Leaf Wild Body pain, removing a thorn

Akabare

Capsicum microcarpum DC. SBP17 Solanaceae Khorsani H Fruit Cultivated Gastritis, diabetes

Leaf is useful in Throat, Urine, Fever, Stress relief, Memory

Centella asiatica (L.) Urb. SBP18 Apiaceae Ghodtapre H Leaf Cultivated boost, Blood Clotting, Stone

Cheilanthes dalhousiae Hook. SBP19 Pteridaceae Ranisinka H Whole part Wild Ulcer, stomachache, Gastritis

Cinnamomum tamala (Buch.-Ham.)

T. Nees & C. H. Eberm. SBP20 Lauraceae Dalchini T Bark, Leaf Wild Fever, Cough

Cissampelo spareira L. SBP21 Menispermaceae Gujro Gano H Rhizome Wild Abdominal cramping, Typhoid, No appetite

Cissampelo spareira var. hirsute

(Buch.-Ham. Ex DC) Forman SBP22 Menispermaceae Badal Pate H Leaf Wild Blood clotting, bleeding on women

Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck SBP23 Rutaceae Suntala T Fruit covering Wild Anthelminthic

Cleisto calyxoperculatus (Roxb.)

Merr. & L.M. Perry SBP24 Myrtaceae Kyamuna T Leaf Wild Sinusitis

Coixlacryma-jobi L. SBP25 Poaceae Bhirkauli G Root Wild Stomachache, Fever

Vitamins and minerals source, Blood in Stool, Sting/bee bite,

Colocasia esculanta (L.) Schott SBP26 Araceae Karkalo, Pidalu H Stem/Nodes Cultivated Dog bite

Coriandrum sativum L. SBP27 Apiaceae Dhaniya H Seed Cultivated Pimple

Leaf and young shoot part are boiled or take as a vegetable

Crataevauni locularis Buch.-Ham. SBP28 Capparidaceae Sipleegaan T Leaf Wild to treat cancer, blood pressure, Herpes Zoster anti-cancerous

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Cucumis sativus L. SBP29 Cucurbitaceae Kakro H Fruit Cultivated Stone problem

Cuminum cyminum L. SBP30 Apiaceae Jeera H Seed Cultivated Boil in hot water for cough and cold

Curcuma caesia Roxb. SBP31 Zingerberaceae KaloHaleto H Rhizome Wild Gastritis, Abdominal cramping

Curcuma domestica Vaeleton. SBP32 Zingiberceae Beshar H Rhizome Cultivated Boil in hot water for cough and cold

Cuscuta reflexa Roxb. SBP33 Convolvulaceae Akasbeli H Whole part Wild Plant decoction for Jaundice, Joint pain

Stop bleeding, Mental relief, juice drop in nose blocking,

Jaundice, Urine Problem, Albinism (Dubi), Burning while

Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. SBP34 poaceae Dubo H Leaf Wild urination

Seed paste is used in massage when the body is feeling tired

Datura metel L. SBP35 Solanaceae Kalo dhaturo H Seed Cultivated and pain.

Dichrocephala integrifolia Kuntze SBP36 Asteraceae Chiku Jhar H Whole part Wild Plant juice is used in fever.

Diplazium esculentum (Retz.) Sw. SBP37 Athyriaceae Niuro F leaf Wild Hypertension, Diabetes

Dolichos lablab L. SBP38 Fabaceae Tate Simi H Rhizome Cultivated The paste is applied in fracture

Drymaria cordata (L.) Roem. & Make a paste and inhale smell for Cough, juice drop in the

Schult. SBP39 Caryophyllaceae Abijalo H Laf Wild nose for Sinusitis, Jaundice, Appetizer, Burning feel on chest

Duchesnea indica (Andr.) Focke SBP40 Rosaceae BhuinKafa H Fruit Wild Hotness in body

Duranta repens L. SBP41 Verbenaceae Nilkanda S Whole part Wild Jaundice, Hypertension

Euphorbia hirta L. SBP43 Euphorbiaceae Dudhe H Plant latex Wild Hypertension, Diabetes

Euphorbia royleana Boiss. SBP44 Euphorbiaceae Siundi S leaf Wild Fever, stop bleeding, remove the thorn in body

Ficus auriculate Lour. SBP45 Moraceae Timila, Bhutuk T Fruit Wild Diarrhea

Ficus religiosa SBP46 Moraceae Pipal T Bark Wild Measles

Gaultheria fragrantissima Wall. SBP47 Ericaceae Dhasingre S Young shoot Wild Antiseptic, Injury

Rhizome,

Gonostegia hirta (Bl.) Miq. SBP48 Urticaceae Maslahari H Flower Wild Paste is applied in fracture

Helianthus annuus L. SBP49 Asteraceae Surya Mukhi H Seed Cultivated Throat problem

Hordeum vulgare L. SBP50 Poaceae Jamara H Aerial part Cultivated Gastritis, Jaundice, Cancer, increase immunity

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Imperata cylindrical (L.) P. Beauv. SBP51 Poaceae Siru H Root Wild Intestinal worm

Jasminum mesnyi Hance SBP52 Oleaceae Jai Plant S Flower Cultivated Tongue problem, Earache, Cough and Cold

Justicia adhatoda L. SBP53 Acanthaceae Asuro S Whole part Wild Boil in water to treat Fever, Typhoid, Piles

Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl. SBP54 Cucurbitaceae Lauka H Fruit Cultivated Juice in hypertension

Leucas cephalotes Spreng. SBP55 Lamiaceae TaukeJhar H leaf Wild Herpes Zoster

Lobelia pyramidalis Wall. SBP56 Campalunaceae Eklebir T Bark Wild Fertility

Macrotylomauni florum (Lam.)

Verdc. SBP57 Papilionaceae Gahat H Fruit Cultivated Stone problem

Mahonia sikkimensis Takeda SBP58 Berberidaceae Chutro S Bark/Root Wild Diabetes, Hypertension

Melia azedarach L. SBP59 Meliaceae Bakaina T Seed Wild Chewing seed as anthelmintic

Mentha arvensis L. SBP60 Lamiaceae Pudina H Aerial part Cultivated Fever, Headache, cold

Momordica charantia L. SBP61 Cucurbitaceae Titekarela H Fruit Cultivated Juice or vegetable in hypertension

Musa spp. SBP62 Musaceae Kera H Stem Cultivated Stem water to cure ear problem

Myrica esculenta Buch.-Ham. ex D. Leaf paste is used to stop bleeding, bark and seed juice is

Don SBP63 Myricaceae Kafal S Leaf Wild used in treat bone injury

Myristica fragrans Houtt. SBP64 Myristicaceae Jaifal T Seed Wild Fruit juice is used in Diarrhea, Relief from stress

Nardostachys jatamansi DC. SBP65 Caprifoliaceae Jatamasti H Root/Rhizome Wild Mental weakness, Insomniac

Nyctanthes arbor-tristis L. SBP66 Oleaceae Parijat T Flower Wild Jaundice, Piles

Ocimum sanctum L. SBP68 Lamiaceae Tulsi H leaf Cultivated Fever, Cough

Ocimum basilicum L. SBP67 Lamiaceae Babari H Leaves Cultivated Diabetes

Oroxylum indicum (L.) Benth. Ex

Kurz SBP69 Bignoniaceae Tatelo T Seed Wild Blood stool

Osyris wightiana Wall. Ex Wight SBP70 Santalaceae Nundhiki H Leaf Wild Fracture

Phyllanthus emblica SBP71 Phyllanthaceae Amala T Bark, seed Wild Asthma, Gastritis

Phytolacca acinosa Roxb. SBP72 Phytolaccaceae Jaringo H Rhizome Wild No Fertility

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Phytolacca decandra Descourt. SBP73 Phytolaccaceae ChinkeGhas H Leaf Wild Jaundice, sinusitis, Herpes Zoster

Piper longum L. SBP74 Piperaceae Pipla H Fruit Cultivated Respiratory problem

Piper nigrum L. SBP75 Piperaceae Marich S Seed Wild Used to cure pus

Pogostemon bengalensis (Burm.f.)

Kuntze SBP76 Labiatae Rudhilo H Leaf/Bark Wild Cough, Toothache

Polystichum spp. SBP77 Dryopteridaceae Bhyaute F Whole part Wild Jaundice

Prunus armeniaca L. SBP78 Rosaceae Aaru T Leaf Wild Leaf juice is against lice

Diarrhea, Silky Hair, Bark in intestinal worm, fever,

indigestion, liver problem, Gastritis, Stomachache,

Psidium guajava L. SBP79 Myrtaceae Amba T Leaf, Fruits Cultivated Abdominal cramping, Hypertension

Punica granatum L. SBP80 Lythraceae Aanar T Bud Cultivated Diarrhea, Dysentery

Quercus lanata Sm. SBP81 Fagaceae Banjh T Bark Wild Gastritis, Abdominal cramping

Raphanus sativus var. longipinnatus

L.H. Bailey SBP82 Brassicaceae Mula H Seed Cultivated Appetite, paste in pimple

Reinwartia indica Dum. SBP83 Linaceae Pyayooli S Flower Wild Jaundice

Remove fish bones which are stuck in the gullet, Menstrual

Rhododendren arboretum Sm. SBP84 Ericaceae Laligurans T Flower Wild Disorder

Rubus ellipticus Sm. SBP85 Rosaceae Aiselu S Root Wild Stomachache

Schimawallichi (DC.) Korth. SBP86 Theaceae Chilaune T Bark Wild Gastric

Shorearobusta C.F. Gaertn. SBP87 Dipterocarpaceae Sal T Leaf Wild Piles, cancer, stone, SaalDhoop in Herpes Zoster

Smallanthus sonchifolius (Poepp.) SBP88 Asteraceae BhuinShyau H Rhizome Cultivated Fear of height, altitude, diabetes

Solanium xanthocarpum SBP89 Solanaceae Kantakari S Seed Wild Seed paste for toothache, Silky hair

Solanum nigrum L. SBP90 Solanaceae KaloMunte H Fruit Wild Fever, Gastric, Cough

Solanum tuberosum L. SBP91 Solanaceae Aalu H Fruit cover Cultivated Jaundice

Solenaamplexicaulis (Lam.) Gandhi

ex Saldanha & Nicolson SBP92 Cucurbitaceae Golkakri H Fruit Wild Stone problem, appetizer, Fever

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Spilanthes calva DC. SBP93 Asteraceae Marauthi H Fruit Cultivated Toothache

Spilanthes oleracea L. SBP94 Asteraceae Goraspan H Fruit Wild Toothache

Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. & L.

M. Perry SBP95 Myrtaceae Lwang T Seed Cultivated Toothache, Blood pressure

Tagetes erecta L. SBP96 Asteraceae Sayapatri H Flower Wild Appetite loss, Pneumonia

Taxus wallichiana Zucc. SBP97 Taxaceae Lothsalla T Leaf, Twig Wild Fever, stop bleeding, anti-cancerous

Fruits are chewed in sore throat, stomach disorder, piles,

Terminalia bellerica Roxb. SBP98 Combretaceae Barro T Fruit Wild diarrhea, fever and cough, Asthma

Terminalia chebula Retz SBP99 Combretaceae Harro T Bark Wild Burn Seed in Cough, Bark in Tonsils, Asthma

Thalictrum foliolosum DC. SBP100 Ranunculaceae Dampate H Whole part Wild Antiseptic while piercing the ear of children

Milk increase of lactating women, children or people

Trachyspermum ammi Spargue SBP101 Apiaceae Jwano H Seed Cultivated suffering from cold, nutritious food, flatulence

Trigonella foenum-graecum L. SBP102 Fabaceae Methi H Leaf, Seed Cultivated Uric acid, Blood pressure

Root, Aerial part paste in Fracture; Root juice and cooked

aerial part reduced blood pressure, Jaundice, increase the

Urtica dioica L. SBP103 Urticaceae Sisnu H Root, Leaf Wild milk of lactating women

Vitex negundo L. SBP104 Lamiaceae Simali S Leaf Wild Sinusitis

Woodfordia fruticosa SBP105 Lythraceae Dhairo S Leaf, Flower Wild Fever

Zanthoxylum armantum DC. SBP106 Rutaceae Timur S Seed Wild Seed boil with water for indigestion

Zingiber officinale Roscoe. SBP107 Zingiberaceae Aduwa H Rhizome Cultivated Cold, Cough

96 H represents Herbs, S represents shrubs, T represents trees, and F represents fern. 97

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98 Discussion 99 The present study documented altogether 107 medicinal plant species that belong to 98 genera and 100 60 families. These plants are widely used for curing and preventing different diseases and for health 101 benefits by the denizens of the Suryabinayak Municipality. An ethnomedicinal study conducted in 102 Kavrepalanchwok district previously, regarding the utilization of the indigenous knowledge found 103 that 68 plant species belonging to 59 genera from 37 families [16], out of which ten genera are similar 104 to our present work. Similarly, in Dang district, West Nepal, research on ethnomedicine found 85 105 plant species belonging to 79 genera and 56 families as potential plants used by the indigenous people 106 [17], where 21 species belonging to 28 genera have similar findings compared to our present work. 107 In the present study, herbs (57%) were found to be dominating life forms in the comparison of trees, 108 grasses, shrubs, and ferns. This might be due to the naturally abundant occurrence of herbs. Shrestha 109 and Dhillion [18] have reported that herbs are found abundantly and naturally in the environment. 110 Adhikari et al. [19] and Magaret al. [20] have also documented herbs as dominating life forms in their 111 study. However, Cheikhyoussef et al. [21] have reported 28 trees, 15 herbs, 10 shrubs, and 4 climbers 112 in their research. It is evident from the study that the ethnic communities are dependent on a variety 113 of plants to meet their daily lives and health requirements. 114 115 In the present study, leaves have been used vigorously as the plant parts for the medicinal purpose 116 directly or indirectly, followed by seed, fruit, bark, and so on. This might be due to the easy 117 availability of the leaves and as a major part of nutrients synthesis and thus higher biochemical 118 activity. The dominance of leaf as a plant part in the present study has been supported by Chaudhary 119 et al. [5], Acharya and Acharya [22], Singh [23]. The documented 107 species plants are used in the 120 treatment of 39 different diseases and 46 distinct health benefits activities. These plants have been 121 involved in the prevention and treatment of cough, fever, cold, gastrointestinal, respiratory, 122 dermatological cardiovascular nervous, urinary problems, and even cancer. The leaf of Ghiukumari 123 (Aloe vera) was used in curing the burn in the present study and was previously reported in the study 124 of Ghimire [24], Rai [25], Tamang [26], Tamang and Singh [27]. The leaf of Artemisia vulgaris was 125 found to stop bleeding and antidandruff in the present study, which is similar to the survey 126 conducted by Tamang and Singh [27]. The root of siru (Imperata cylindrica) was reported to cure 127 intestinal worms in the present study has also supported by the findings of Tamang [26], Oli [28], 128 and Tamang and Singh [27]. However, Rai [25] has reported the use of this species in the treatment 129 of curing piles, diarrhea. The use of flower of laligurans (Rhododendron arboretum) was used to remove 130 fish bones that get stuck in the gullet. The present finding in this study was also reported by 131 Bhattacharya [29], Gurung [30], Shrestha, and Dhillion [18], and Thapa [31]. 132 133 All the respondents were asked semi-structured questionnaire politely in their own local language. 134 In return, respondents provided all ethnomedicinal data and information which they had. In the 135 present study, the maximum respondent was found to be over the age of 50. Only one respondent 136 was below 30 years of age. This might be due to the modernization and easy availability of chemically 137 synthetic drugs in medical shops. Chaudhary et al. [5] have also reported a similar difference in age 138 groups of the respondent while studying the ethnobotanical plant of Tharu community of eastern 139 Nepal. This might be the sign of decreasing the use-value of medicinal plants in the Suryabinayak

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140 municipality. The young generation should be enhanced to continue their traditional use of plants 141 for the medicine to conserve their ethnic knowledge. 142 143 4. Materials and Methods 144 Study area 145 Suryabinayak Municipality is in the Southern part of the Bhaktapur district (Fig. 4). It lies between 146 the northern latitude of 27°37’ N to 27°40’N and eastern longitude of 85°23’ N to 85°29’ in a 147 geographical area of 42.6 km2. It is situated at an elevation range from 1369 m to 2025 m above the 148 sea level. The average temperature in summer (June - August) and winter (November – February) is 149 19-27°C and 2-15°C and the average rainfall is 20-30 cm3 [32]. This study area favors subtropical (1,000 150 to 2000 m above the sea level and temperate (2,000 to 3,000 m asl) type of climate. About 783 hectors 151 of land is covered by forest, and altogether 63 forest patches have been identified [33]. Different 152 species of plants are found in forests such as Rhododendren arboretum (Laligurans), Myricae sculenta 153 (Kafal), Rubuselliptus (Aaiselu), Schimawallichi (Chilaune), Fern, Bryophytes, Pteridophytes, etc. 154 According to the 2011 National census, the predecessors of the Suryabinayak Municipality had a 155 population of 78,845 out of them 39,237 (49.8%) are male, and 39,608 (50.2%) are female. The 156 significant cases are Newar, , Tamang, and the major religion is Hindu, followed by others.

157 158 Figure 4. A) Map of Nepal Showing Bhaktapur district. B) Bhaktapur district. C) Suryabinayak 159 municipality showing all 10 wards 160 161 Field survey 162 An ethnomedicinal survey was carried out from 17th Nov 2017 to 15th May 2018 for six months. The 163 present study has covered 10 wards of Suryabinayak Municipality at monthly interval using Rapid 164 Appraisal methods like the door to door survey, individual interview, field visit and group

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165 discussion with (Fig. 5 and Fig. 6) different age group, gender, address, occupation, native/migrant, 166 education and family structure and user/healer (Fig. 1A). 167

168 169 Figure 5. (A) Door to door survey (B) Group discussion (C) Individual interview (D) Herbarium 170 specimens 171

172

173 Figure 6. A) Ageratina adenophora Spreng (Banmara). B) Cuscuta reflexa Roxb (Akasbeli). C) Justicia 174 adhatoda L. (Asuro)

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175 176 Primary data collection: 177 During the field survey, open-ended, semi-structured questionnaires were employed for the 178 collection of information in local languages. Newari language was used for the Newari people and 179 the was used for the other ethnic groups. Fifty-eight people were involved in the 180 study for the collection of ethnobotanical data and information. These questionnaires were prepared 181 in English, but interviews were conducted in local languages for convenience and accuracy. 182 183 Voucher specimen collection and plant identification: 184 The voucher specimen of available plant species was collected with the help of key participants who 185 were experienced and had a rich knowledge of the medicinal flora. Those plant species unavailable 186 during the study were collected on related activities. The medicinal plants were identified from the 187 Dictionary of Nepalese Plant Names book [34]. 188

189 Herbarium preparation: The collected specimens were dried and then disinfected using 0.1% HgCl2 and 190 ethyl-alcohol (70%), and then mounted on standard-sized herbarium sheets (42cm × 29cm). 191 Herbarium specimens were prepared and submitted to the Department of Botany, Bhaktapur 192 Multiple Campus. The code for the herbarium specimen was used as SBP for each plant. 193 194 5. Conclusions 195 The present study made clear that the local peoples of Suryabinayak municipality have sound 196 knowledge about the traditional uses of plant species for treatment and prevention of many health 197 problems. The villagers or informants were quite reluctant to share their knowledge because of their 198 cultural norms and beliefs. However, there was high disappearance of traditional knowledge after 199 the death of knowledgeable older generations. An urgent need for the conservation of such species 200 as well as their habitats and indigenous knowledge is required. Finally, medicinal plants are still 201 significant for livelihood for local villagers/ informants of the Suryabinayak Municipality. 202 203 Supplementary Materials: The following are available online at www.mdpi.com/xxx/s1, Figure S1: 204 Set of a Questionnaire for a field survey 205 206 Author Contributions: Conceptualization, A.B.; B.B.; S.C.; N.N.M; methodology, A.B.; S.S.; B.K.; S.C.; N.N.M.; 207 formal analysis, A.B.; N.N.M; investigation, A.B.; B.B.; S.C.; N.N.M; writing—original draft preparation, A.B.; 208 B.B; S. C; N.N.M; writing— A.B.; B.B.; N.N.M.; supervision, S.C.; N.N.M. All authors have read and agreed to 209 the published version of the manuscript. 210 211 Acknowledgments: We express our sincere gratitude to the local people of Suryabinayak 212 Municipality who helped us immensely in the collection of ethnomedicinal data of the listed plants. 213 214 Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest. 215 216 Appendix A 217 Set of a Questionnaire for a field survey 218 219 220 221 References

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222 1. Shrestha, K.K.; Tiwari, N.N.; Ghimire, S. K. MAPDON - Medicinal and aromatic plant database of 223 Nepal. In; Proceedings of Nepal-Japan Joint symposium on conservation and utilization of Himalayan medicinal 224 resource, 2000. 225 2. Magar, S.T. A report on indigenous knowledge on the utilization of medicinal plants in the Magar 226 community: A case study of Salija VDC Parbat. Submitted to SNV Nepal, Bakhundole, Lalitpur, 227 Kathmandu, Nepal, pp 13-15, 2008. 228 3. CBS. National Population and Housing Census 2011. Central Bureau of Statistics, Kathmandu, Nepal. 229 2011. 230 4. Manandhar, N.P. Herbal remedies of , Nepal. Fitotrepia 1993, 64(3), 266-272. 231 5. Chaudhary, S.; Magar, G.T.; Sah, S.N.; Parajuli, S. Ethnic plants of Tharu community of Eastern Nepal. 232 Int. J. Appl. Sci. Biotechnol. 2020, 8(2), 223-230. https://doi.org/10.3126/ijasbt.v8i2.28325 233 6. Bawa, K.S.; Godoy, R. Introduction to case studies from southern Asia. Economic Botany 1993, 47, 258- 234 267. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02862290 235 7. Gill, J.; Ogbor, H. Folk medicinal plants: practices and beliefs of the Benin people in Nigeria. Ethnobotany 236 1997, 9(1-2), 1-5. 237 8. Bhattarai, N.K. Medical ethnobotany in the Karnali Zone, Nepal. Economic Botany 1992, 46(3), 257- 238 261.https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02866624 239 9. Holland, B.K. Prospecting for drugs in ancient texts. Nature 1994, 369, 702. 240 https://doi.org/10.1038/369702a0 241 10. Andrade-Cetto, A. Ethnobotanical study of the medicinal plants from Tlanchinol, Hidalgo, Mexico. 242 Journal of Ethnopharmacology 2009, 122, 163–171. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2008.12.008 243 11. Thapa, S. Medico-ethnobotany of Magar Community in Salija VDC of , Central Nepal. 244 Our Nature 2012, 10, 176-190. https://doi.org/10.3126/on.v10i1.7780 245 12. Kunwar, R.M.; Adhikari, N. Ethnomedicine of Dolpa district, Nepal: the plants, their vernacular names 246 and uses. Lyonia: a journal of ecology and application 2005, 8(1), 43-49. 247 13. Singh, A.G.; Kumar, A.; Tewari, D.D.; Bharati, K.A. New ethnomedicinal claims from Magar community 248 of Palpa district, Nepal. Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge 2018, 17(3), 499-511. 249 14. Balami, N.P. Ethnomedicinal uses of plants among the Newar community of Pharping village of 250 Kathmandu District, Nepal. Tribhuvan University Journal 2004, 24(1), 13-19. 251 https://doi.org/10.3126/tuj.v24i1.251 252 15. Timilsina, S.H.; Singh, N.B. Ethnobiology and Indigenous knowledge about medicinal Animals and 253 Plants in the balami Ethnic Group in Nepal. Journal of Institute of Science and Technology 2014, 19(2), 78- 254 85. https://doi.org/10.3126/jist.v19i2.13857 255 16. Malla,B.; Chhetri, R.B. Indigenous knowledge of ethnobotanical plants of Kavrepalanchowk District. 256 Kathmandu University. Journal of Science, Engineering and Technology 2009, 5, 96-109. 257 17. Sigdel S.R.; Rokaya, M.B. Utilization of plant resources in Dang district, West Nepal. Banko Janakari 258 2011, 21(2), 45-54. https://doi.org/10.3126/banko.v21i2.9143 259 18. Shrestha, P.M.;Dhillion, S.S. Medicinal plants diversity and use in the high lands of , 260 Nepal. J. Ethnopharmacology 2003, 86(1), 81-96. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-8741(03)00051-5 261 19. Adhikari, M.; Thapa, R.; Kunwar, R.M.; Devkota, H.P.; Poudel, P. Ethnomedicinal uses of Plant 262 Resources in the Machhapuchhre Rural Municipality of , Nepal. Medicines 2019, 6, 69. 263 20. Magar, S.B.; Bhandari, P.; Ghimire, K. Ethno-medicinal survey of plants used by Magar (Kham) 264 community, , Western Nepal. Ethnobotany Research & Application 2020, 19, 1-29. 265 21. Cheikhyoussef, A.; Shapi, M.; Ashekele, H.M. Ethnobotanical study of indigenous knowledge on 266 medicinal plant use by traditional healers in Oshikoto region, Namibia. Journal of Ethnobiology and 267 Ethnomedicine 2011, 7(1), 10. https://doi.org/10.1186/1746-4269-7-10 268 22. Acharya, R.; Kamal, P. Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used by Tharu Community of Parroha 269 VDC, , Nepal. Scientific World 2009, 7, 80-84. https://doi.org/10.3126/sw.v7i7.3832 270 23. Singh, S. Ethnobotanical study of wild Plants of , Nepal. Ecoprint 2017, 24, 1-12. 271 https://doi.org/10.3126/eco.v24i0.20641 272 24. Ghimire, K. Ethno medicobotany of Tharu tribe of Study report submitted to 273 DNPWC, Kathmandu, Nepal. 1999. 274 25. Rai, MB. Medicinal Plants of , eastern Nepal. Our nature 2003, 1, 42-48. 275 https://doi.org/10.3126/on.v1i1.304 276 26. Tamang, G. An Ethnobiological study of the Tamang people. Our Nature 2003, 1, 37-41. 277 https://doi.org/10.3126/on.v1i1.303

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278 27. Tamang, P.; Singh, N.B. Medicinal Ethnobiology and Indigenous knowledge system of the Lapcha of 279 Fikkal UDC of Illam, Nepal. Journal of Institute of science and Technology 2014, 19(2), 45-51. 280 https://doi.org/10.3126/jist.v19i2.13851 281 28. Oli, B.R. Ethno-medicinal uses of Plants among the Limbus of Hellock Area of Tapethok VDC, 282 Taplejung, Nepal. Botanica orientalis 2003, 3, 112-115. 283 29. Bhattacharya, D.; Rhododendron Species and Their uses with Special References to Himalayas- A Rivew. 284 Assam University Journal of Science and Technology 2011, 7(1), 161-167. 285 30. Gurung, A. A study on Medicinal Plants and their traditional uses in Chitre VDC(Parbat) and 286 Bhadauri/Tamagi VDC(Kaski), Western Nepal.M.Sc. Thesis, Central Department of Botany, T.U., 287 Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal, 2002. 288 31. Thapa, S. Medico-ethnobiological Knowledge of the : A case study of Salija VDC, Parbat District. 289 M.Sc. Thesis, Central Department of Environmental Science, T.U., Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal, 2008. 290 32. http://www.fallingrain.com/world/NP/00/Suryabinayak.html (last accessed on: 02.08.2020). 291 33. http://www.suryabinayakmun.gov.np/(last accessed on: 02.08.2020). 292 34. Shrestha, K. Dictionary of Nepalese Plant Names. Natural History Museum, Tribhuvan University. 293 1998.Pp, 1- 260 294

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295 Supplementary file: 296 297 298 Suppl. 1. Questionnaire for respondents in Suryabinayak Municipality 299 300

301 नाम (Name of respondent): ……………………………………………………..

302 ठेगाना (Address of respondent): ……………………………………………......

303 Immigrant or Ethnic: ………………………………………………………………

304 उमेर (Age): ………......

305 िल (Sex): ………………………………………………………………………..

306 पेशा (Occupation): …………………………………………………………………….

307 िशा (Education): ……………………………………………………………………….

308 पारवारकढाचा (Family structure): …………………………………………………….

309 औषिधकोपमा जिडबुटी योग गनुछ? (User or Healer): ………………………………

310 थानय वा वासी (Native or Migrant):………………………………………………..

311

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Name of Application Parts Life Plant plants Family used form source Use/Application

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312